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A DAFF-Funded Research Initiative

Climate Smart Soils

Building resilient Australian farming systems through innovative soil technologies

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About the Project

Transforming Soil Water Efficiency Across Australia

Climate variability is significantly challenging dryland farming systems across Australia. The Climate Smart Soils project is addressing this challenge by trialling Innovative Soil Technologies (IST) that dramatically improve water infiltration and retention — the critical factors that determine crop success in a drying climate.

Working with nine regional grower groups across five states, our research evaluates soil treatment approaches across diverse soil types, delivering evidence-based insights that Australian farmers can act on today.

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A DAFF-Funded Research Initiative

The Challenge We're Solving

Understanding the problem is the first step. Here’s why dryland farming needs new solutions — and how we’re delivering them.

The Challenge

Dryland farming across Australia faces increasing climate variability — reduced and erratic rainfall, intensifying heat events, and accelerating soil degradation. These pressures threaten food security and farm viability, demanding new approaches to soil and water management.

  • ☁ Reduced and unpredictable rainfall patterns
  • 💧 Declining soil water infiltration capacity
  • 🌡 Increasing frequency of extreme weather events
  • 📉 Long-term soil health deterioration

Our Approach

Innovative Soil Technologies (IST) offer a practical, evidence-based pathway to improved soil water efficiency. We’re rigorously testing these technologies in real farming conditions — not laboratory settings — to deliver actionable insights for growers.

  • ✅ Improved water infiltration and retention
  • ✅ Reduced runoff and evaporation losses
  • ✅ Evidence across diverse soil types and states
  • ✅ Farmer-led trials in real growing conditions

Field Trials Across Australia

Multi-location trials conducted in real farming conditions, capturing the full diversity of Australia’s dryland farming environments and soil types.

Our Grower Groups

Nine regional grower groups across Australia — collectively driving the adoption of innovative soil technologies at the farm level.

WANTFA​

Western Australia

Western Australian No-Tillage Farmers Association

WANTFA is a member-based organisation dedicated to integrating innovation into conservation farming practices. The group drives profitability and productivity by fostering collaborative learning where farmers support one another in adopting sustainable agricultural methods.

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Birchip Cropping Group​

Victoria

BCG drives the prosperity of Australian farmers, communities and landscapes through applied research and innovation.

The Birchip Cropping Group enhances the financial performance and sustainability of broadacre farmers by conducting field-based research and delivering practical insights. Through member-focused extension activities and collaborative trials, BCG helps growers make informed decisions that improve productivity and profitability.

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PIRSA / SARDI

South Australia

Supporting South Australia's Primary Industries & Regions

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is South Australia’s key economic development agency, advancing the prosperity and sustainability of the state’s food, grains, livestock, fisheries, and horticulture industries. PIRSA partners with growers, researchers, and all levels of government to expand regional production, create jobs, and build vibrant regional communities across South Australia.

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AIR EP

SA

Farmer-owned organisation that leads RD&E of agricultural technologies and innovations for farmers.

AIR EP delivers quality applied research for the benefit of farmers on the Eyre Peninsula, while building capacity through education, training and extension. The organisation ensures that farmers, agribusiness, and the scientific community actively participate in planning and delivering independent research across the region.

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Facey Group

Western Australia

Connecting Communities & Building Knowledge

Facey Group is a farmer-led organisation focused on improving the long-term sustainability and profitability of its members’ businesses. Established in 2001, Facey Group delivers locally relevant agricultural research, extension, and grower engagement activities across the Wheatbelt of Western Australia to support informed decision-making and drive sustainable productivity gains.

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Mingenew-Irwin Group​

Western Australia

Mingenew-Irwin Group

MIG is a farmer-led organisation serving approximately 320,000 hectares in Western Australia’s Geraldton Port Zone. The group creates a collaborative environment where agricultural professionals unite to access research programs, educational initiatives, and information sharing to make informed decisions for their operations.

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Southern Farming Systems

Tasmania

Delivering Local Research for a Resilient Farming Community

Southern Farming Systems (SFS) is a farmer-led organisation focused on improving the long-term sustainability and profitability of farming systems. Established in 1995, SFS delivers credible, independent agricultural research and extension across southern Australia, including Tasmania, to support growers in making informed, practical decisions that enhance productivity sustainably.

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Riverine Plains Inc​

New South Wales

Connecting Communities & Building Knowledge

Riverine Plains is a farmer-led organisation dedicated to advancing agricultural excellence through research, education, and community connection. The organisation delivers projects tackling complex farming challenges — from soil health and climate resilience to business sustainability — fostering knowledge-sharing to build stronger agricultural communities.

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AMPS Agribusiness

NSW

Your future is important. That's why we're growing here.

AMPS Agribusiness provides agricultural services and independent research to farmers across North-West NSW. The company funds its research program through merchandise earnings, enabling scientific trials that help growers develop profitable and sustainable farming operations across multiple regional branches.

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Project Partners

Leading research institutions and industry partners enabling world-class soil science across Australia.

SoilsWest / Murdoch University

Lead Research Partner

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Ag Excellence Alliance

Alliance Partner

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Nutrien Ag Solutions

Industry Partner

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Incitec
Pivot

Industry Partner

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Follow the Climate Smart Agriculture Program for the latest research findings, field trial updates, and farmer stories.

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Get in Touch

Interested in the project, wanting to collaborate, or seeking more information? We’d love to hear from you.

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‘The Innovative Soil Technologies to Foster Resilience and Climate Smart Crop Production in Australia Project’, is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust.